High frequency trading

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Revision as of 11:19, 29 March 2013 by imported>Doug Williamson (Added term as suggested by John Grout)
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(HFT.) Trading activities using sophisticated technological tools and computer algorithms that generate a large number of daily trades at very fast speeds. Typically at the end of the day there is no open position in the market.

Characteristics attributed to HFT are:

1. extraordinarily high speed using sophisticated computer programs for generating, routing, and executing orders;

2. use of co-location services and individual data feeds offered by exchanges and others to minimize network and other types of time delays;

3. very short time-frames for establishing and liquidating positions;

4. the submission of numerous orders that are cancelled shortly after submission;

5. ending the trading day in as flat a position as possible.

See also